Match Report - Tottenham Hotspur v Charlton Athletic - 26 Dec 2002

English Barclays Premiership

Richard Rufus' amazing last-ditch clearance denied the comeback of the season as this Boxing Day belter got better and better.

After a dismal first half and going 2-0 down just after the break, Glenn Hoddle gambled, switched to three up front and it almost paid off to maximum effect.

Goals from Robbie Keane and Steffen Iversen dragged us back on level terms before Rufus somehow headed Iversen's overhead kick off the line in injury time.

Unfortunately, there was one sour note again as, like at Maine Road just three days earlier, Christian Ziege was sent off for two bookable offences - the second for a debatable-looking foul on Scott Parker.

The first first half simply didn't get going.

Keane kicked off the half with intent as a dribble past two defenders forced Kiely into brave action within a minute.

But the visitors grasped the advantage when Lisbie slipped away from Perry and his cross deflected off King into the path of Euell who finished in style from 10 yards.

Keller saved well low to his left from Parker, Lisbie and Bartlett had headed chances and it took until the 37th for us to register another effort on goal as Kiely did well again to keep out a low Keane shot.

If the first half could have been better, it went from bad to worse just three minutes after the break.

Lisbie played the ball through to Euell and although Keller blocked the initial effort, the ball popped up perfectly for the the striker to tap into an empty net.

The changes followed on the hour mark as Glenn threw on Ferdinand and Iversen for Freund and Sheringham and went with three up front.

It took seven minutes to work as Keane gleefully smashed Iversen's knock down into the top corner from 18 yards.

Now it was all Spurs. Carr rasped a shot wide, Ziege's effort was too hot for Kiely to handle but the ball bounced safe and the keeper saved well from Keane and Ziege.

Iversen struck to level with four minutes left, climbing high to meet Carr's deep cross and head back across Kiely into the far corner.

The Norwegian must still be wondering how Rufus cleared his overhead kick off the line with Kiely still grounded after saving from Davies in injury time and Keane headed wide from the resulting corner.

Ziege was then sent off for a second yellow although Parker seemed to make the most of a nothing challenge.